Lighting fixture



June 4, 1946. m 2,401,635

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Feb. 26, 1944 Patented June 4,1946

Edwin F. Guth, Florlssant, Mo. Application February 26, 1944, Serial No.524,017

This invention relates to lighting fixtures and more particularly tolighting fixtures for fiuorescent lamps.

Among the objects of this invention are the provision of an improvedlighting fixture; the provision of a lighting fixture which, through thelocation of the clifiu-sing panels, is easier to maintain and to clean;the provision of a lighting fixture which i resistant to breakage intransportation; the provision of a lighting fixture of attractiveappearance and the provision of a lighting fixture which is of simpleconstruction and is inexpensive to manufacture. Other objects will be inpart apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations ofelements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which willbe exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claim.

In the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated one embodiment ofthe invention,

Fig. l is a perspective view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view partially in section of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 i a section on an enlarged scale taken along the line 3-3 in Fig.1; and, I

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the diffusing element of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing. A

Referring now to the drawing, numeral 25 represents an outer case,channel or top housing which supports the usual electrical apparatusindicated generally at 21. The case 25 has end plates or walls 29 ateither end and sockets 3| to support lamps 33. The end walls29 arejoined by side Walls 53. Diffusing members 35 are sup ported bybent-over flanges or angles 31 on the end plates or walls 29. Theseflanges slope downwardly toward a median line at $3. A metal channel 39is cemented to each diifusing member 35 on one edge thereof. Thediifusers 35 may be made of any suitable material such as glass .orplastic, and may be treated to render them translucent to light.Brackets 8| are formed from end plates 29 by bending up the metal, whichwould otherwise occupy the area 43. The difiusing panels 35 are slidinto position against these end brackets M in the installation of thefixture.

- At 5| are shown angle irons at the lower ends of the flanges 31 andsuitably spaced from the 1 Claim. (Cl. 240-78) latter, slidably toreceive the lower protected edges of the diffusers 35. These formretainers for the diifusers so that the latter may not be inadvertentlyraised inside of the case 25 by depressing their outer edges. The outeredges may not be raised by reason of side walls 53 of the housing 25.

The end plates or walls 29 may be formed with any desired decorativestampings and/or openings indicated generally by 45 and 41. Thesupporting angles 31 and end brackets 4| leave a small opening 43 downthe length of the fixture. This provides a small amount of direct lightimmediately beneath the fixture and obviates any dark line down thelength of the fixture due to the channels 39.

The present fixtures are easily installed and cleaned and the diffusingpanels are easily removed for cleaning. Moreover, removing the diffusingpanels permits easy access to the interior of the fixture for cleaningor repair.

The metal channels 39 hold the glass diffusing panels rigid and protectthem in transit and during washing, besides preventing nicking by thebrackets or stops 4!. Inasmuch as fluorescent light fixtures of the typedisclosed are long and relatively narrow these are important factorsbecause the diffuser panels would otherwise be subject to damage duringshipping, washing or use.

Likewise the present fixtures are attractive in appearance and avoid asubstantial manufacturin cost since only one edge of the diffuser II isbonded to metal or analogous protective material. The use of aprotective channel along only one side of each difiusing panel improvesthe appearance of the fixture over a construction in which material isused as a binding around all the diffuser edges. In addition, it is lesscostly than an all-around binding.

Whore the diifuser panels 35 are composed of glass, any suitablemetal-to-glass cement such as a liquid porcelain may be used incementing the channels 39.

The fixtures of the present invention may be shipped without unduebreakage in transit because the difiusing panels 35 can be shippedseparately from the remainder of the fixture. The panels 35 are easilyremoved after the fixture has been in use, for cleaning or washing themand/or the remainder of the fixture.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope edges, stops located at the lower ends of saidflanges and near said median line, brackets on the insides of said endwalls, said brackets being spaced above said flanges and having portionslocated near said stops, light-diffusing panels, reinforcing channelsembracing the lower edges of said diffusing panels, said panels withtheir reinforcing channels being insertable and removable along saidflanges and into the space between said flanges and'the brackets; saidrein- 10 forcements "bein-g engageable with said stops.

EDWIN F. GUTH.

